Eugene : Oregon

What it's Like to Retire in Eugene

Eugene, population 158,000, has many attractions as a retirement community. For one, it is a vibrant college town; 17,000 students attend the University of Oregon here. It has the Cascade Mountain range for unlimited hiking, skiing and outdoor opportunities. And the wild and rugged Pacific coast is just an hour to the west. The city, birthplace of Nike, is famous for its extensive park system, which includes many bike and running trails. The university gives the community a decided liberal slant and cultural boost.

Eugene enjoys a national reputation as one of the most livable cities in the country. As a retirement community Eugene offers small town charm combined with big city sparkle. It has a thriving and eclectic arts scene along with unsurpassed natural beauty. Its slogan is that it is “The World’s Greatest City of the Arts and the Outdoors”.

Eugene is located in Lane County. Use this Oregon retirement guide for more information about taxes, etc. Photo of Eugene Public Library courtesy of Wikipedia and Cacophony.

Where to Retire in Eugene and Home Prices

There are several developments aimed at retirees, ranging in price and in amenities. Some of the active adult 55+ communities here include: Cascade Manor, the Eugene Hotel, and SongBrook. Follow the Active Adult Community links at right for more.People moving here from larger west coast cities will find real estate to be relatively inexpensive by those standards. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sale price of a home in Eugene Oregon was $268,300, in the second quarter of 2017.

What is not special about Eugene

Some people might not appreciate that this is a very green, liberal community with a significant aging hippie population. Air quality is below average.

Who will like retirement in Eugene

Eugene attracts a community of active adults who want to live in a college town and who enjoy being close to one of the world's great outdoor environments.

Local economy is driven by

Eugene's largest industries are wood products manufacturing and RV manufacturing. The University of Oregon is the largest employer. Several multinational companies got there start here, including Nike.

Climate and Physical Environment

It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley where the McKenzie and Willamette rivers come together. It is about 60 miles east of the Oregon Coast. Eugene averages 50 inches of rain per year, the average year round temperature is 52. It occasionally snows in winter; the median temperature in January is about 40.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

There are a number of important cultural institutions here: the Eugene Symphony, the Eugene Ballet, the Eugene Opera, the Eugene Concert Choir, the Oregon Bach Festival, the Oregon Children's Choir, and Oregon Festival of American Music. There is also the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, along with the Beall Concert Hall on the University of Oregon campus. Not to mention the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Live theater groups in Eugene include: the Willamette Repertory Theatre, Lord Leebrick Theatre.

Crime

The crime rate in Eugene is well above the national average.

Medical facilities

Transportation

Eugene Airport is here; Amtrak service is available; The Lane Transit System is excellent – buses have bike racks and are wheelchair accessible; The System covers 240 square miles and has more than 3.7 million passenger trips per year; Eugene's bike trails are legendary; Eugene is average in walkability when compared to other communities.

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